Looking to Upgrade

[jubih]

So it's been a few years since i built this computer. i've added an SSD and changed the case and PSU overtime, but now i need to upgrade it so that I can play the newer titles at manageable framerates. I'm not overly crazy about graphics. I prefer playing at 1080p with no lag. So i need a system that can get me there. I know that the 3 main parts that I would need are: Motherboard, CPU, and GPU. I would just like to know what is the most important piece to upgrade as of today with the budget i have to work with. I will overtime in the next few months upgrade the rest, but I would like to play titles like H1Z1, CSGO, Infitnite Warfare, and some other newer titles.

Budget 300-400 dollars, would really like to stay closer to 300

My Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($130.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Toshiba 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270X 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($104.99 @ B&H)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM 64-bit ($84.88 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ RL2455HM 24.0" 60Hz Monitor ($189.00 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Corsair K70 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard ($169.99 @ Corsair)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse ($48.89 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Logitech G430 7.1 Channel Headset ($57.70 @ Amazon)
Total: $1079.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-11 12:35 EST-0500

 

[jubih]

And my RAM will be upgraded too, but that isn't included in the budget, thanks!

 

[WildCard999]

I would upgrade the RAM to 16gb, buy a new GPU & overclock that CPU as far as it will safely go.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB 6GT OC Video Card ($249.00 @ B&H)
Total: $300.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-11 12:42 EST-0500

And if you want a bit more speed with your system upgrade to a SSD, Samsung Magician Software works well to transfer the OS over to the SSD without having to do a full reinstall of Windows.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $94.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-11 12:46 EST-0500

 

[Hlsgsz]

This, adn save 100 for when you have 150 more for a GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: *ECS H110M4-C23 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($48.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: *Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $199.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-11 12:45 EST-0500

 

[CV_Taihou]

I agree with wildcard. OC'ing the CPU as much as possible and getting a better GPU is the best option. Assuming that you weren't counting the RAM as part of the upgrade cost, here's what I'd go with personally. Sits right in the middle of your budget, but the cooler can support a much higher OC than a 212 EVO, and the GPU is much better than a 1060 at everything except power consumption.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/Y6xH3F
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/Y6xH3F/by_merchant/

CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($59.90 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Fury 4GB NITRO Video Card ($285.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $345.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-11 12:48 EST-0500

 

[Hlsgsz]

I agree with wildcard. OC'ing the CPU as much as possible and getting a better GPU is the best option. Assuming that you weren't counting the RAM as part of the upgrade cost, here's what I'd go with personally. Sits right in the middle of your budget, but the cooler can support a much higher OC than a 212 EVO, and the GPU is much better than a 1060 at everything except power consumption.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/Y6xH3F
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/Y6xH3F/by_merchant/

CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($59.90 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Fury 4GB NITRO Video Card ($285.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $345.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-11 12:48 EST-0500

LOL. Not that much OC possible with that MB 😉
That woudl eb a waste of a cooler.

 

[CV_Taihou]

I agree with wildcard. OC'ing the CPU as much as possible and getting a better GPU is the best option. Assuming that you weren't counting the RAM as part of the upgrade cost, here's what I'd go with personally. Sits right in the middle of your budget, but the cooler can support a much higher OC than a 212 EVO, and the GPU is much better than a 1060 at everything except power consumption.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/Y6xH3F
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/Y6xH3F/by_merchant/

CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($59.90 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Fury 4GB NITRO Video Card ($285.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $345.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-11 12:48 EST-0500

LOL. Not that much OC possible with that MB 😉
That woudl eb a waste of a cooler.

Not really an AMD person so I don't know what's good and what's not. I do think that the Fury is a better option than a 1060 right now though just because of how cheap it is

 

[elbert]

I suggest the 1060 6G first and the rest later as you can. Us your CM 212 EVO once you get the CPU, motherboard, and Ram.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($235.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Pro4S ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($72.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($88.20 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB GAMING X Video Card ($268.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $666.06
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-11 12:53 EST-0500

 

[geofelt]

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer with many participants tend to like many threads.

You need to find out which.
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option.
You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system,
and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

 

[littleleo]

So it's been a few years since i built this computer. i've added an SSD and changed the case and PSU overtime, but now i need to upgrade it so that I can play the newer titles at manageable framerates. I'm not overly crazy about graphics. I prefer playing at 1080p with no lag. So i need a system that can get me there. I know that the 3 main parts that I would need are: Motherboard, CPU, and GPU. I would just like to know what is the most important piece to upgrade as of today with the budget i have to work with. I will overtime in the next few months upgrade the rest, but I would like to play titles like H1Z1, CSGO, Infitnite Warfare, and some other newer titles.

Budget 300-400 dollars, would really like to stay closer to 300

My Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($130.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Toshiba 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270X 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($104.99 @ B&H)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM 64-bit ($84.88 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ RL2455HM 24.0" 60Hz Monitor ($189.00 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Corsair K70 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard ($169.99 @ Corsair)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse ($48.89 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Logitech G430 7.1 Channel Headset ($57.70 @ Amazon)
Total: $1079.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-11 12:35 EST-0500

How soon did you want to do this upgrade? If you are not in a big hurry I would suggest waiting to see what the new AMD Zen has to offer in the 1st quarter next year. Reviewing your build you have used AMD w/o issue the new models maybe a good option. Depending on how it performs it could force Intel to respond with lower prices too.

As for immediate upgrades you can do now you could upgrade your video card to a RX 480 or the GTX 1060 6GB model. If you plan on trying VR build go with the GTX 1060 6GB since it greatly out performs the RX 480 in VR performance. Keep in mind upgrading your motherboard & CPU will most likely require you to upgrade your RAM to DDR4. So I don't think I would spend any more on DDR3 right especially since it has been going up in price like crazy. And once you upgrade to any of the new platforms the DDR3 will be useless.